Non Executive Director (Personal Insolvency expertise) in London

The Insolvency Service is a UK government Executive Agency supporting economic growth by maintaining business integrity and confidence. With around 1,800 staff at 11 sites across the UK, it acts as a safety net for the British economy and has returned £57.5 million to creditors; processed over 69,000 redundancy payments; disqualified more than a thousand directors for misconduct; and completed 169 criminal prosecutions in the last year. These efforts support individuals recovering from financial hardship and help maintain business confidence in the UK.

The Insolvency Service is recruiting two Non‐Executive Directors to replace retiring board members. These new non‐executives will be vital in helping drive our new strategy to transform the Insolvency Service into a digital‐first regulator with greater powers to tackle advanced economic crime. This shift involves investing in AI, data analytics, specialist skills, and updating regulatory frameworks to foster innovation while ensuring strong protections. You will further support the Board and the Non‐Executive Chair to oversee the agency's strategy, management, and governance.

We are seeking two outstanding individuals who will bring:

• Deep expertise in personal insolvency allowing them to challenge and support the proposed reforms currently being framed, ensuring the insolvency regime remains world‐class while becoming more accessible and proportionate.
• Proven change‐management experience to guide the agency's digital transformation, operational modernisation, and cultural evolution to enhance their capabilities while maintaining service excellence.

Candidates will bring proven strategic senior leadership and governance experience, ideally at board level or equivalent in a significant organisation in either the public or private sector. They will demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills with the ability to interpret complex information and contribute to strategic decision‐making.

For the Personal Insolvency Non‐Executive Director role, we are looking for individuals who can offer deep expertise in personal insolvency, bankruptcy, or debt advice, whether as a practitioner, charity leader, or academic. Experience in reform, policy development, or advocacy within the insolvency or financial inclusion space is also desirable, as is a respected reputation in the insolvency field, with the ability to constructively challenge and support reform programmes.

For the Change Management Non‐Executive Director role, ideal candidates will bring a proven track record of leading digital transformation or major change programmes within complex organisations. They should also have up‐to‐date knowledge of emerging technologies and their practical application to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency, as well as an understanding of user‐centred design and experience in driving transformational change and innovation in public services.

If you feel you bring the experience, insight and leadership qualities needed to guide this important organisation through its next chapter, we would be delighted to hear from you. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive leadership team and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those currently under‐represented in public appointments.

Please do refer to the candidate information pack for further information.

Please note: As of October 2025, the Office of Public Appointments will require all applicants to create/have an account on the Public Appointments Website and use that to submit your equality and outside interests declarations as part of the application process.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact our recruitment advisors at GatenbySanderson:

• Russell Brandon, Researcher, Russell.brandon@gatenbysanderson.com
• Hilda Gjika, Delivery Consultant, hilda.gjika@gatenbysanderson.com
• Darra Power‐Mooney, Principal Consultant, darra.power‐mooney@gatenbysanderson.com

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Contacts: Russell Brandon: 01962 864124

Recruitment Timetable:

• Closing Date for applications – 5pm Monday 2 February 2026
• Shortlist Meeting – w/c Monday 16 February 2026
• Final Panel Interview – w/c Monday 23 February 2026

How to Apply:

Please ensure that you provide the following:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV) – no longer than two pages, which provides your contact details, details of your education and qualifications, employment history, directorships, membership of professional bodies and details of any relevant publications or awards.
• a supporting statement – no longer than two pages, setting out how you meet each of the criteria for appointment, as set out in the person specification for the role. Please note that the Supporting Statement is an important part of your application and is as much the means by which you will be assessed as your CV.
• contact telephone numbers as well as your personal email address.

Public Appointments Advert: https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/9004#J-18808-Ljbffr